Greg’s Atlantic Blue E92 BMW 335i is really striking the first time you see it. With the surfboard proudly affixed to the roof rack, Atlantic Blue has never looked better on any E9x. Over the past few months we’ve seen this 335i evolve from stock into the realization of one man’s creative vision for the car – and clearly, the results speak for themselves. Greg is a Middle School teacher and has recently won several awards for his academic efforts.
In his own words, Greg tells us why he chooses to mod his car, and how long he’s been at modifying his things:
“As a middle school teacher, modifying is something that comes naturally. My first modification was on a surfboard when I was 13. The boards were generic looking and my friends and I grabbed a can of spray paint and went to work. I have been hooked ever since. I enjoy purchasing vehicles or even surfboards and making them unique.”
Unique is certainly right. We’ve all seen our share of surf mobiles, and when we think of “surf vehicle”, many of us imagine things like woody station wagons and VW buses, but this E92 pulls off the Surfer look flawlessly.
Greg elaborated on his vision further,
“For me, it all starts with tires and wheels and then like an artist who creates from a blank canvas, so does a “modder” create from a plain jane into something to be proud driving. I tell my students, “Masterpieces take time”. So does the modification of a car take time and evolves over time. It also takes surrounding yourself with solid people… …Alan at ModBargians has helped me turn my 335i from the ordinary to the extraordinary by listening to my goals, knowing my budget, and making suggestions that fit my taste.“
As the child of two teachers myself, I can tell you from firsthand experience that educational professionals really don’t exactly bring home a seven figure income, which is why Greg has to be very strategic with the mods he chooses. That’s not to say his work isn’t rewarding- Greg truly enjoys his work and making a difference in the lives of his students and there’s something more to it than going to work and getting paid for it. There must be something hardwired into teachers that enjoy their work – after retiring from 35+ years teaching HS chemistry, my own dad found himself wanting to be back in the classroom and now is back working again at the local college. The same things that help Greg shine in the classroom also play a role in how the BMW gets tweaked.
“I enjoy helping my students shine by adding subtle touches that help bring out unique qualities. So I decided it was time to treat myself and transform my Atlantic Blue 335i. Just like in the classroom, I want to make a difference but not be over the top, (of course, on a teacher’s salary that keeps my dreams in check). I have to be strategic and look for ways to make my BMW stand out but at a price I can afford. In my opinion, it is the finer details or extra touches that show one cares about their purchase. Whether a smoked lens cover, angel lights, or painted side reflectors it is gratifying to see the end result.”
The end result speaks for itself. Check out the mod list that makes up this Atlantic Blue Beauty.
2009 BMW E92 335i
Painted Body Color Reflectors for E92
BMW Performance M AERO front lip for 2007-12 E92/E93
BMW Performance Gloss Black Kidney grills
Performance style carbon fiber trunk spoiler
Carbon Fiber License plate frame
GP THUNDER 64W CREE LED Angel Eyes
GP Thunder H8 50W CREE LED Fog lights
GP Thunder Cornering Lights H3 8500K
Forgestar F14 Matte Black Wheels for BMW E92
Spec:
Front – 19×8.5 semi concave
Rear – 19×10 deep concave
Tires
Falken 453 235/35/19 – 265/30/19
Remus US Sound Race Exhaust w/ round Carbon tips for BMW E92 335i
Injen N54 Cold Air Intake for BMW E92 335i (Polished)
And that’s not all. There’s quite a bit still left to go before Greg’s vision is fully realized. Here’s what Greg has planned for the future.
Future planned mods:
Hamann style carbon fiber rear add on piece
OEM Performance Aluminum gas/brake pedals
OEM Performance Aluminum Dead Pedals
OEM Performance Shift Knob & Boot
OEM Performance E brake & boot
StopTech stage 2 brake upgrade for BMW E92
Evoution Racewerks Carbon Fiber engine cover
Evolution Racewerks N54 Charge Pipe (polished) w/ Forge diverter valves (We’ve explained why these are a great idea in previous posts)
If you have questions about the charge pipes of your BMW N54 or aren’t sure how to best upgrade, we invite you to call our friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiasticModification Experts like Alan at 714-582-3330 (x8006 for Alan) or chat live at www.modbargains.com
Story by Nicholas Gregson
Photos by Doug Johnson
Want to know more about modding your N54? Check out these N54-related posts on the ModBargains blog.